I began keeping a film log in late 2003. I was unemployed at the time and thought I could pass my time constructively by watching some classic films and keeping a log with brief impressions of my thoughts. It would be an interesting experiment and it was also more fun than, you know, looking for a job.
Another one of the reasons I wanted to keep a log was because my feelings about certain films can change dramatically over time. The log acts as a sort of time capsule of my viewing experience. Looking back now at the log it appears that my ratings system is wildly inconsistent. I definitely got harsher and less willing to dole out the stars as the year went on. On the other hand, I’m not so sure why I gave some films as many stars as I did. Overall, I’m quite pleased that I’ve managed to stay disciplined enough to keep the log for an entire year.
I’ve included the list of films and my ratings but omitted my comments to save space. Years are given to distinguish the difference between originals and remakes.
January
Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask) -- ***
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! -- ***
Harvey -- ***1/2
The Seventh Seal -- *****
Heavy -- **1/2
Cecil B. Demented -- ****
Big Fish -- ***
The Lady Eve -- ***1/2
Bringing Up Baby -- *****
Goodfellas -- ****
February
Girl With A Pearl Earring -- ****
Pirates of the Caribbean -- (repeat viewing) ***
Starsky & Hutch -- ***1/2
March
American Splendor -- ****
The Dreamers -- ***
A Mighty Wind -- ****
Bend it Like Beckham -- ***1/2
Deliverance -- (unfinished due to tragic VCR taping error!)
Raising Arizona -- ***
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind -- ****
My Man Godfrey (1936) -- ****1/2
Dawn of the Dead (2004) -- ***
Capturing the Friedmans -- ****1/2
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind -- ****
The Day the Earth Stood Still -- ***1/2
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington -- (unfinished due to time constraints and general disinterest in the film. )
The Awful Truth -- ****
April
The Stepford Wives (1975) -- ****
Walking Tall -- **1/2
Boogie Nights -- ****1/2
The Hudsucker Proxy -- ****1/2
Kill Bill, Vol. II -- ****
Irma La Douche -- ****
May
Spy Kids -- ***
Supersize Me -- ***1/2
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban -- ***
Fahrenheit 9/11 -- ***
Live Forever -- *** (DVD extras: ****)
Spider-Man 2 -- ****
August
The Specials -- **1/2
Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle -- ***1/2
September
Garden State -- ***1/2
Hero -- ***
Raise the Red Lantern -- ***
Spellbound (documentary, not Hitchcock) -- ***
October
Shaun of the Dead -- ****
I [Heart] Huckabees -- ****
Kiki’s Delivery Service -- ***
Saved! -- ***
Hellboy -- ***
December
Kinsey -- ***1/2
Primer -- **1/2
Napoleon Dynamite -- ***1/2
A Very Long Engagement -- ***
Based on my ratings (and the way I felt on Jan. 1, 2005) here are my top six films of 2004:
Shaun of the Dead
I [Heart] Huckabees
Kill Bill, Vol. II
Spider-Man 2
Girl With a Pearl Earring
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Yeah, that’s about right. Shaun of the Dead was far and away my favourite film of the year. Funny, scary, romantic, poignant and, yes, zombies too. Garden State probably affected me emotionally more than some of the other films listed above. But while it was well-executed and extremely enjoyable I had some serious problems with its core concept. Also, Harold and Kumar was awesome for sheer belly laughs and I hope it manages to find a cult following on DVD.
You will note my list doesn't include critical darling Sideways. I’m really torn about seeing the film. While I love Alexander Payne's work I just can’t bring myself to watch another film about white middle aged men confronting themselves and their relationships with women. Zzzzzz... I’ll probably relent and see it eventually though. Other 2004 films I haven’t seen (yet): The Incredibles, Team America: World Police, The Life Aquatic, Anchorman, The Aviator.
